Regional News Archives - Page 11 of 23 - Christian Church in Oklahoma

Oklahoma Disciples Foundation Provide Grants That Touch Lives

Oklahoma Disciples Foundation continues to provide grants that make a big difference in Disciples’ communities.

Here are a few more projects where 2019 ODF grant funds are touching lives:

First Christian Church, Stillwater – young adults mission trip to Jamaica to tutor in local schools, make infirmary and child sponsorship visits and participate in construction and farming projects.
Christian Church of the Covenant, Enid – delivering fresh fruit biweekly directly to apartment residents (mainly low income senior citizens) in two local complexes.
First Christian Church, Stillwater – purchase of new equipment and supplies for Adult Daily Living care center as well as supplement materials for marketing outreach.
Christian Church in Oklahoma and Caminante – scholarships for young adults and disciple ministers to participate in the Caminante Mission in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic.
Yale Avenue Christian Church, Tulsa – supplying students from a local At-Risk Junior High School with tools and philosophies to build character and better prepare them for their future. Program focuses on study, devotion and visits to three venues: The Oklahoma City National & Memorial Museum; Martin Luther King Memorial Museum at the National Civil Rights Museum and to see “Samson” at the Sight and Sound Theater in Branson.
Disciples Christian Church, Bartlesville – making a personal connection with and delivering baskets of nutritious food to local elderly people who live in poverty.
Christian Church in Oklahoma – Mission Camp Roadshow youth summer mission trip to support recovery efforts in Texas across Hurricane Harvey’s impact area.
Central Christian Church, Enid – school and equipment supplies for multiple Pronoei Schools in Puno, Peru. These schools are the poorest in the area for indigenous children, age 3-5, who were previously not allowed to take entry exams into public primary school.
United Ministry at the University of Tulsa – activities for monthly Interfaith worship service and community service project during fall semester 2019.
Christian Church in Oklahoma International Affairs Seminar (IAS) – funding of group meal for IAS participants.

The Foundation holds many worthwhile endowments benefitting the church, the Region and its missions and ministries, including funds for grants. Click this link: “Together We Touch Lives” if you would like to make an honorary or memorial donation to one of these funds.

Blessings,

Eric S. Gray, CAP®
Executive Director

CCOK3012019-09-12T10:35:06-05:00Aug 26, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

What Can We DO?

These days are more than difficult with continued multiple mass shootings. We can hardly even take a breath before we hear, read, experience another senseless shooting in a public setting. While we are not in the midst of the tragedies, almost every time we have family or friends who are among the victims, or are serving as first responders, or live in the community and wrestling with fear and deep grief.

Also, our hearts continue to be broken when we see and read about refugees and immigrants at the border and the deplorable conditions in which they are living, especially the children. Just this week in Mississippi, parents were detained and forced to leave their children behind.

On both issues, even from a distance, we are struck with deep grief and anger, and our first response is prayer. I have seen some beautiful prayers on social media. These prayers are true expressions of many emotions and implore God to hear and respond. But, we need to do more. We need to pray and also act.

Many of us are asking what can we DO in addition to our deep and abiding conversations with God. There are lots of things we can do, some of which many of us are already doing. Let me add some suggestions from two faith leaders, The Rev. Cameron Trimble, Founder & CEO of the Center for Progressive Renewal and author of Piloting Churches, and The Rev. Mary Heath, Minister at Edmond Trinity Christian Church and the chair of the new Commission on Refugee & Immigration Ministries in Oklahoma. Our denomination’s Refugee and Immigration Ministries work of advocacy and education is also providing ways to help.

Rev. Cameron Trimble — In one of her weekly blogs, Rev. Trimble implores us to join the growing movement of activists and average citizens who are speaking out against bigotry, hatred, intolerance and xenophobia. To offer our support, we can do three things:

Host conversations with our friends and neighbors about the values that define being an American. She offers several groups who have helpful resources: The Weavers Movement, Civic Dinners, The Turquoise Table, Living Room Conversations. I invite you to connect to these websites to learn and maybe to implement one of these ideas. I already know of one congregation in Oklahoma who will be starting table conversations as worship.
Connect with a Voter Registration organization in your area and help mobilize a ground game for getting people to the polls. I think church members could easily organize a team to visit those who are home bound to ensure their voice could be heard.
Financially support activist organizations doing the critical work on the ground such as: The Poor People’s Campaign, New Sanctuary Movement, Faith in Public Life, Activist Theology Project.

Rev. Mary Heath — As you will see in the Regional Roundup article, Oklahoma Commission on Refugee and Immigrant Ministries Invites You to Join the Mission, The Rev. Mary Heath has a passion for helping us get organized to DO something to love and care for the refugee and immigrant children at the border of Texas. I am grateful for her leadership and hope you will read her article that calls us to urgent action.

Disciples Refugee and Immigration Ministries – The Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea serves as the Director of this office, a part of Disciples Home Missions, and it also includes Tana Liu-Beers, an immigration attorney who works as a resource to our congregations, regions, and members. The Oklahoma Region has joined other regions to support the costs of this urgent work. This link to RIM WRAP 08/14/2019 will take you to five additional ways Disciples in Oklahoma can help refugee and immigrant families in Mississippi.

I know you are praying. I know you are writing your legislator. Maybe you are protesting. These suggestions above are some additional resources to keep us moving toward healing and wholeness in this broken and fragmented world. I am grateful for your deep and abiding faith, for your witness to the love of Jesus Christ, for your prayers, and for picking up a few pieces of action that reveal your willingness and generosity to serve in the name of Jesus.

Keeping the faith,

Pam

CCOK3012019-08-15T10:18:26-05:00Aug 13, 2019|Pamela Holt Blog, Regional News|Comments Off

Oklahoma Commission on Refugee and Immigrant Ministries Invites You to Join the Mission!

Dear Friends,

We know as Christians and people who call ourselves Disciples of Christ, that we are called to love and serve our neighbor. We have neighbors on our southern border who need us. The environment for our brothers and sisters is not only a humanitarian crisis but a faith crisis. We are limited in what we are allowed to do to help, but there are a couple of actions we can take and the Church must act.

We are developing a Refugee and Immigrant Ministry (RIM) in the Oklahoma Region. Anyone who is interested in being a part can contact Rev. Mary Heath at revmaryheath@att.net. She will be happy to add anyone who cares for this ministry to the group!

Mary has spoken to a couple of ministers from the Rio Grande Valley. One of the first things we can accomplish is sending help to Rev. Filiberto Pereira at Good Samaritan. Rev. Mary Heath has spoken to him three times to determine the immediate need. All three times he has stated there is a great need to help the children on both sides of the border. Rev. Pereira has told Rev. Mary Heath, that the children are basically going naked.

In attending General Assembly this summer, we learned about what it is to “Abide.” Children going without clothing is something we simply cannot abide. We acknowledge the teaching of Jesus that children are the heirs of the Kingdom of God. And so, our first statewide mission project for refugees and immigrants is to collect the needed items.

How can you help? DONATE:

Gently used and new clothing for children (all sizes)
Packages of girls and boys underwear (all sizes)
Shoes, sandals, flip flops for children (all sizes)
Feminine products of all types
Monetary donations made to the Region.
- checks may be mailed to Christian Church in Oklahoma at 301 NW 36th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73020. Please note “RIM” on the check so it is applied directly to this mission.
- Online donations may be made through Givelify (choose “Other” and make a note: “RIM”)

How can you help? COLLECT:

You can help collect items at your church and bring them to a drop off location! There are currently two donation sites.

Yale Avenue Christian Church – Tulsa, 3616 S Yale Ave, Tulsa, OK 74135 (Monday through Thursday from 10am to 4pm)
First Christian Church – Oklahoma City, 3700 N. Walker, Oklahoma City, OK 73118 (Monday through Thursday from 10am to 4pm)
Central Christian Church – Enid, 1111 W Broadway Ave, Enid, OK 73703 (Monday through Thursday from 10am to 4pm)
First Christian Church – Pauls Valley, 300 N Ash St, Pauls Valley, OK 73075 (Wednesdays 10am to 4pm). If you would like to drop any other day/time call Elaine at 405-830-1799 to schedule a time.

The first load of donations will be collected to deliver on September 13, 2019. Please drop your items as soon as possible. A second load will be taken at a later date.

How can you help? DRIVE:

So far we have one volunteer to drive the donations to either Bayville or Los Fresnos, Texas. We will need more volunteers who can help drive a church van or individual truck to transport. If you can help in those ways, please contact Rev. Mary Heath at revmaryheath@att.net.

There will be other ways in which you can help Refugee and Immigrant Ministries in Oklahoma! Keep watching the Region’s website and monthly e-newsletter for more opportunities to help our brothers and sisters in need.

Thank you for your generous hearts and willingness to follow Jesus Christ, in clothing our young sisters and brothers, and hence clothing our Savior himself. We will continue to join together in this movement of wholeness in a fragmented world.

Mission Action: “I was naked and you gave me clothing.” Matthew 25:36

CCOK3012019-08-26T12:42:30-05:00Aug 13, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

How A Generator Changed a Puerto Rican Church: A Powerful Story by Rev. Miguel Morales

When Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017, we asked ourselves, “What happens to a pastor and their family when a natural disaster devastates their community, their church, and/or the pastor’s home? How do we as Pension Fund, specifically Ministerial Relief and Assistance, stand with our pastors in these moments of vulnerability when their own financial security is threatened and they are trying to balance the needs of their family, their church, and their community?”

Discerning the answers to these questions led directly to an expansion of Ministerial Relief and Assistance, including a permanent partnership with Week of Compassion to provide grants to pastors affected by natural disasters.

Last week at the biennial General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), hundreds of our members and friends heard from Rev. Miguel Morales, General Pastor of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Puerto Rico as he shared his harrowing story of the moments during and directly following Hurricane Maria. Rev. Morales’ presentation included a powerful video describing how, through the generosity of our donors, Pension Fund was able to act quickly and effectively despite incredible logistical challenges.

The programs of Ministerial Relief and Assistance, such as these, are funded by generous donors and the MRA Endowment. If you are interested in learning more about MRA programs or how to become a donor, click here.

With gratitude,

Rev. Dr. Todd A. Adams
President and CEO

Watch the powerful video about how the Pension Fund supported Rev. Miguel Morales through Hurricane Maria. HERE

CCOK3012019-08-08T11:12:35-05:00Aug 7, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Stream General Assembly 2019 Online!

We have good news! If you were not able to make it to General Assembly in person, you may watch some of the events online. Click HERE to view:

Opening Celebration on July 20
Worship Services on July 20, 21, 22, 23
Closing Worship/Procession on July 24

CCOK3012019-07-31T15:49:10-05:00Jul 23, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Mission Camp Road Show: Thank You

We were all uncomfortable at some point of the trip. Mission Camp Road Show returned to Oklahoma July 13, with sore muscles, stories, some skills we didn’t have before the trip, and a different understanding of what it means to care for creation. We were able to take the Oklahoma standard to Texas City, TX, through the generous support of our financial sponsors without whom this trip would not have been possible. Thank you!

Charter Bus Seat Sponsors

Adult Bible Study Class, Central CC Enid
Anonymous Donor (2 seats)
FCC Durant
Genesis Class, Central CC Enid
Rev. John & Sally Wheeler
Ken & Phyllis Hambrick (3 seats)
Linda & Rev. Pat Sutherlin
Lois Tilley
Max Johnson
Michael Allen
Patricia Swann
Rev. Dr. Lisa Davison
Rev. Geoff Brewster
Rev. Paul Ragle
Ruth Moore
Thom & Laurie Bushman (2 seats)
Travis Carlson Family

Trip Sponsors

Central Area Ministries
Central Christian Church Enid
Children, Youth, & Young Adult Commission
First Christian Church El Reno
First Christian Church Moore (overnight host for groups arriving on Saturday before the entire group left Sunday morning at 7am).
Leadership Training School Offering
New Covenant Christian Church
Northeast Area Ministries
Oklahoma Disciples Foundation Grant
Oklahoma Disciples Women

MCRS participants discovered neighbors in south Texas. The gracious smiles, offer of pizza or water, and “thank you” from home owners are imprinted on our group. We went to serve, and in some instances, received more than we gave. You probably know that feeling. Working with Reach Beyond Mission and Disciples Volunteering, ten (10) Oklahoma congregations sent youth and adults on this first Mission Camp Road Show. The people our group met and stories they heard were heart breaking and inspiring. Some of our group were frustrated for home owners who, three years after the Tax Day flood and Hurricane Harvey, are still trying to get their homes and lives rebuilt or restored. Only a few sites were near the water. The majority of the homes our group worked on are inland where the days of rain from Hurricane Harvey overwhelmed storm drains, drainage ditches, and people’s lives.

Houses our group worked in, or just passed each day, still had water line markings on the outside. Some of the sites were homes stripped to the studs and concrete. In neighborhoods concrete slabs are markers where a home once stood. One work team spent three days carefully putting down floating flooring that they had to pull up first. Portable air conditioners worked hard to cool the inside air to 87 degrees not counting the humidity. When they left Wednesday, bedrooms, bathrooms, the living room, and part of the kitchen were no longer bare concrete. There is still a long way to go for this home to be a living space.

One group worked for a family living in a home with sheet rock walls ready for paint. Towels or sheets hung in place of inside doors. Concrete floors are stacked with belongings creating paths to navigate from room to room. A mom, kids, and pets are doing their best to cope and live. They embrace the help of unknown neighbors, like our group, who are in and out of their house daily, if they are lucky, putting together a home flooded twice in the same year. “Hard as it is, you get over being to proud to ask for or accept help.” On Thursday, the hallway is no longer bare concrete. It led the way to bedrooms where our work group moved furniture onto new flooring they had laid. A bit of normalcy.

Some groups worked on several projects during the week. One worked at First Christian Church in Texas City helping paint two walls in the fellowship hall, and repainted the lines in the parking lot. That same group laid flooring, baseboards, mowed the lawn, and painted at a woman’s house the rest of the week.

Another group helped repair a fence, added a door to a shed, put up guttering, painted, and many more smaller projects to complete her house and take it off the list. Another worked at one house all week trying to get it finished, but a plumbing issue created by another well meaning group prevented them from completing that project. That group did finishing work, put up cabinets in the kitchen, painted and installed baseboards and molding, and mowed the yard.

Two groups visited Seeding Galveston, a community garden in Galveston complete with chickens, turkeys, and goats. There they helped weed beds, clean pens, and some learned about composting. Yes, that was a smelly morning. A few took a turn at milking a goat. Another group helped at the Regional Food Bank in Texas City, creating bags of food for children, learning about hunger in Galveston County, and then helping clients who receive a selected basket of food each week.

Both of these groups also spent thirty minutes picking up trash at the Texas City Dike. They went from the recycling and reuse of the community garden to picking up after consumer culture. In just an hour the two groups picked up an estimated 80 pounds of trash from an area about 30 yards by 300 yards. The dike is an access point to the Gulf of Mexico where people fish, earn a living, and play. It protects the oil refineries and Texas City. It was different from the beach in Galveston on Thursday evening.

We give thanks for the adults on this mission trip. Without their time, talent, and willingness to accompany their youth this trip would not have happened. We also give thanks for the Co-Directors of MCRS: Pastor Eula Hledik, Rev. Colton Lott, and Pastor Tara Dew. These three worked alongside me, Rev. Michael Davison, as their congregations New Covenant CC Oklahoma City and First Christian El Reno, co-sponsored MCRS with the Region. Click here to see a selection of photos from the week. More added soon.

Thank you, Christian Church in Oklahoma, for the ways you are a voice of gospel in your communities and through the covenant we call the Region. Summer Camp happens because you are involved. Stay centered.

Congregations @ Mission Camp Road Show

Southern Hills Christian Church Edmond
First Christian Church El Reno
Central Christian Church Enid
Christian Church of the Covenant Enid
New Covenant Christian Church Oklahoma City
Western Oaks Christian Church Oklahoma City
Putnam City Christian Church
First Christian Church Stroud
Forest Park Christian Church Tulsa
First Christian Church Woodward

Michael Davison2019-08-19T17:10:36-05:00Jul 16, 2019|Regional News, Youth|Comments Off

Mission Camp Road Show Hits the Road for Hurricane Harvey Recovery Work

Mission Camp Road Show hit the road on July 7th to Texas City, Texas to help with Hurricane Harvey recovery work. 54 volunteers from 10 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) churches will join the recovery efforts this week.

Michael Davison will be leading the Mission Camp Road Show July 7-13. This mission trip is coordinated with Reach Beyond Mission, a Disciples non-profit ministry out of Austin. The youth and adults will travel by charter bus to Texas City, Texas, where they will join the leadership of Reach Beyond Mission. Their work will include assisting Disciples Volunteering in Mission with long term recovery following Hurricane Harvey, and their learning will be “Creation Justice.”

Thank you to Southern Hills Christian Church – Edmond, Central Christian Church – Enid, Christian Church of the Covenant – Enid, FCC El Reno, New Covenant Christian Church – OKC, Western Oaks Christian Church – OKC, Putnam City Christian Church, FCC Stroud, Forest Park Christian Church – Tulsa, and FCC Woodward for participating in this important mission project.

A special thank you to our sponsors for their financial support!

Charter Bus Seat Sponsors

Adult Bible Study Class, Central CC Enid
Anonymous Donor (2 seats)
FCC Durant
Genesis Class, Central CC Enid
Rev. John & Sally Wheeler
Ken & Phyllis Hambrick (3 seats)
Linda & Rev. Pat Sutherlin
Lois Tilley
Max Johnson
Michael Allen
Patricia Swann
Rev. Dr. Lisa Davison
Rev. Geoff Brewster
Rev. Paul Ragle
Ruth Moore
Thom & Laurie Bushman (2 seats)
Travis Carlson Family

Trip Sponsors

Central Area Ministries
Central Christian Church Enid
Children, Youth, & Young Adult Commission
First Christian Church El Reno
First Christian Church Moore (overnight host for groups arriving on Saturday before the entire group left Sunday morning at 7am).
Leadership Training School Offering
New Covenant Christian Church
Northeast Area Ministries
Oklahoma Disciples Foundation Grant

Could your congregation, Sunday school class, or you be a sponsor of the trip? We need 50 seat sponsors for the charter bus. Sponsor a seat for $100 and we will put your name on a seat for the trip. Click here to become a sponsor today with an secure online gift.

CCOK3012019-07-23T12:26:44-05:00Jul 8, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

General Assembly is Drawing Near

General Assembly is Drawing Near
July 20 – 24, 2019
“Abide With Me”

Passionate worship! Important business! Engaging workshops! Joyful fellowship!
Many Disciples are anticipating seeing their colleagues and friends soon at General Assembly in Des Moines, Iowa. Both Michael Davison and Pam Holt will be attending the 2019 General Assembly in Des Moines, Iowa from July 19- July 24. We hope to see many of our Oklahoma Disciples in Iowa engaging in the work of the larger church.

The Oklahoma Region will have many of our clergy and lay folks traveling north for this assembly.

Please pray . . .

for the Holy Spirit to blow among us to give us deeper understanding of who we are as Disciples of Christ!
for all who have given endless hours to plan this great gathering!
for safe travels for all our Disciples!
for the four Oklahomans who will serve as Regional Delegates
Sandy Malget, member of Central Enid
Randy Holt, member of FCC Norman
Jacqueline Bass, member of OKC Wildewood
Ann Scott, member of OKC Wildewood
Jeff Champeau, FCC Norman, who is serving as Oklahoma’s member of the General Board!

Oklahoma Disciples will have a night of celebration while at Assembly. Stay tuned to your email and social media for details.

CCOK3012019-07-02T11:26:24-05:00Jul 2, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Where in the World Are Your Regional Ministers?

You’ll find your Regional staff across the U.S.!

June 29 – July 13: Pam on vacation in Colorado
July 4: Regional Office closed for Independence Day
July 7 – July 13: Michael Davison at Mission Camp Road Show, Texas City, Texas
July 15: Pam returns to the office
July 15 – August 16: Michael is on Sabbatical (a few days in Chicago)
July 19 – July 24: Pam & Michael attending General Assembly, Des Moines, Iowa

Summer is here! The spring storms have withered away leaving an abundance of mosquitoes, flies, frogs, ants, and still a lot of clean up. And now Oklahoma has transitioned into the hot, humid days of summer.

Camps

June has been rich with summer church camps:

Chi Rho Camp at Oak Ridge in Anadarko
JYF Camp and CYF Conference at Central Oklahoma Camp & Conference Center in Guthrie
Chi Rho & CYF at Texoma Christian Camp
Water Weekend in Kingston
Camp still to come: Grand Camp at Camp Christian in Chouteau

Of course, Michael Davison has been present for these camps, and I have made an appearance! The photo gallery of these camps can be found here.

Camp is one of the most amazing places to meet God, to deepen one’s faith, to make a commitment to be a disciple of Christ, to experience true community, to make life-long friends, and to begin to connect the dots that we practice our faith every day in a variety of ways.

Thank you to ALL who make camp possible: camp staff, counselors, directors, parents, grandparents, congregations, Disciple Mens ministry, Commission on Children, Youth & Young Adults, Regional staff, and the young people. We are especially grateful for the presence of a Disciple Peace Intern and two Global Missionary Co-Workers from Beirut, Lebanon. It takes more than a village! And always with the power of the Holy Spirit!

Mission Camp Road Show

Michael Davison will be leading the Mission Camp Road Show July 7-13. This mission trip is coordinated with Reach Beyond Mission, a Disciples non-profit ministry out of Austin. Fifty-four youth and adults will travel by charter bus to Texas City, Texas, where they will join the leadership of Reach Beyond Mission. Their work will include assisting Disciples Volunteering in Mission with long term recovery following Hurricane Harvey, and their learning will be “Creation Justice.”

Vacation

Pam & Randy are vacationing with their family in Pagosa Springs, Colorado for two weeks. She will be out of the office from June 29-July 13.

San Juan River, Pagosa Springs, CO. 2019

San Juan River, Pagosa Springs, Colorado. 2019.

Pagosa Peak. 2019.

Sabbatical

Michael Davison enters the third leg of his sabbatical from July 15-August 16. During these five weeks, in addition to rest and General Assembly, Michael will be traveling to Chicago, Illinois to attend the Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders presented by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center.

Pray . . .

As we pray for you, we also invite you to give thanks . . . for the Holy Spirit that has touched and transformed the hearts and minds of many campers . . . for opportunities to reconnect with family and friends, near and far, and . . . for safe summer travels.

General Assembly

Both Michael and Pam will be attending the 2019 General Assembly in Des Moines, Iowa from July 19- July 24. We hope to see many of our Oklahoma Disciples in Iowa engaging in the work of the larger church. Yes, there will be a night where Oklahoma Disciples gather for fellowship. Stay tuned to your email and social media for details.

CCOK3012019-07-17T10:54:28-05:00Jul 2, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off

Job Posting: Phillips Theological Seminary, Vice President of Advancement

Phillips Theological Seminary is searching to hire the position of Vice President of Advancement. Mission of Position: The Vice President of Advancement, in collaboration with the President, the Board of Trustees and other administrators, leads and oversees all activities and programs related to understanding and building financial support for the mission of Phillips Theological Seminary.

Please email a cover letter expressing interest in the position, being as specific as you can, and detailing relevant professional experience, education, and training, along with a resume, including the names and contact information of at least three professional references to gwen.derrick@ptstulsa.edu.

Read the full job description HERE.

CCOK3012019-07-17T10:52:21-05:00Jul 1, 2019|Regional News|Comments Off